@ Kelele

Sacred music is general. Different people hold different objects places or people as sacred and have created music to honor these things.

Gospel music is specific. The Gospel is specifically the testimony of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.

crazy wazuans!

To me, the word “Dara” does not fit into any Christian music lyrics, because frm where I grew up, it means to caress mostly a lady- not very pure I must say, and I find it offensive.
Three primary factors to consider when it comes to music:

1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the purpose of worshipping God . Most of our own artists in Kenya (sio wote) use it to entertain, and to be “celebs”, which I find so appalling. However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:14-23). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to encourage one another with music: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). So, while the primary purpose of Christain music does seem to be worship.

2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only desire to sing the “old faithful” hymns. There are Christians who want more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to worship best in a “rock concert” type of environment. Instead of recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music to be the only “biblical” one and declare all other forms of music to be unwholesome, ungodly, or even satanic.
The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music.There is no biblical basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or outside of God’s will.

3) The content of the lyrics, and this is where mambo iko. Since neither the purpose of music nor the style of music determines whether a Christian should listen to any music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide for musical lyrics: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If we should be thinking about such things, surely those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and lyrics.

Whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2, 5: establishing wholesome thought patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” These Scriptures give a clear picture of the kind of music we should not listen to.

Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies God. Talented Christian musicians work in nearly every musical genre, ranging from classical to rock, rap, and reggae. There is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided…….

@ Mtu Biz, powerful comments you've put across.
Why we will always have this kinds of threads is because christianity, unlike Muslim, is not a religion but a walk (Relationship) with God. As such, people will relate with God in a different way and then the question of what is Good, Acceptable, Perfect, Right will always arise!
One of my favorite scriptures in the biblia, which to me looks like a summary of the scriptures, some kind of Desiderata, is Romans 12, which talks about christian living, the fact that we are many members in one body(Christ) having different functions (Gifts), all to be used to the glory and honor of God.
But i agree with Mtu Biz that we should test the spirits!

Thanks Akowally . I concur totally.

@Mtu biz, I think on this thread you are the most misunderstood person.Then I'm second.Reading through your posts,I've realised that the two of us are basically on the same side.One question though, is there not even 1 of 'these' songs that you've appreciated?What I have said all along is that we should judge(yes I said it,judge) on a song by song basis or artiste by artiste basis.I hate this old man mentality where everything done in 70s and 80s is good and all current music is evil.When i say some of our musicians are a disgrace,I'm simply concurring with some of u because,as I pointed out earlier there's one I've interacted with who from his own admission openly doesnt care about the gospel.Give these people a chance brethren,lest you end up being the stumbling block in their Christian walk.No blanket condemnation please

Still on the use of the word 'dara', what if the 'f' word was used in a 'gospel' song and declared to have a different 'godly' meaning? Wouldn't that be completely unacceptable?

Kw hii story lets compare notes mbinguni...

Interesting debate this one.

I always find it difficult to argue religion. But for those who believe a clear line can be drawn between the musically profane and profound should read the Bible's 'Song of Solomon' again.

Closer to home I was recently listening to Leonard Cohen's 'Halleluja" - I always thought it was a Gospel song:

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Then I listened to the rest of it....